St. John’s Restaurant/St. John’s Meeting Place

Broken Arrow Ranch antelope with stone-ground grits and sautéed kale – deeply satisfying. Gulf red snapper with heirloom tomato risotto – mmm, mmm. Sister eatery St. John’s Meeting Place is adjacent and provides an international flair in a more casual atmosphere.

1278 Market St., Chattanooga. 423-266-4400, www.stjohnsrestaurant.com, @stjrestaurant.

Sweet P’s Downtown Dive & Sweet P’s Barbecue & Soul House

Sweet P’s in Knoxville has smoked pork and chicken barbecue and Tennessee beef brisket good enough they’ll make your mouth mighty happy. Try the Sauteed Greens n’ Things as a side. Take your pick of locations – the conveniently located Downtown Dive, or the original Soul House location on the Little River.

410 W. Jackson Ave., Knoxville. 865-281-1738; 3725 Maryville Pike, Knoxville. 865-247-7748, www.sweetpbbq.com

620 State

Sushi + stir fry + burgers + steaks + Southern classics + a bar stocked with 300 bourbons and whiskies – all in little Bristol, Tennessee. Enjoy your selection in the upscale casual interior or grab one of the limited number of outdoor patio tables.

620 State Street, Bristol. 423-652-0314, www.620state.com

Butcher & Bee

Butcher & Bee opened about a year-and-a-half ago in East Nashville. B&B offers an enticing mix of vegetable-centric plates and meaty sandwiches. Be sure to try the bacon-wrapped dates.

902 Main St., Nashville. 615-226-3322, www.butcherandbee.com/nashville, @butcherandbee

Loflin Yard

Loflin Yard is a rustic, casual fenced-in one-acre haven in the heart of downtown’s South Memphis. Naturally, there’s barbecue. But there’s more than that – there’s po boys, street corn and watermelon salad.

7 W. Carolina Ave., Memphis. 901-614-4589, www.loflinyard.com